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Visa requirements · updated Sep 2026

Do Malawi citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?

Visa required

Malawi citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSSep 2026
Visa required
Malawi → Bulgaria
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Everything for your trip to Bulgaria

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Malawi vs Bulgaria: passport comparison

Malawi

42

visa-free countries

Global rank: #127 · mobility 89.2

Bulgaria

118

visa-free countries

Global rank: #35 · mobility 167
30

countries both Malawi and Bulgaria can enter visa-free together

Malawi + Bulgaria: passport compatibility

40%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Malawi and Bulgaria travel together — by entry type:

30 both visa-free
16 both visa on arrival
17 both e-visa / eTA
16 both need a visa
118 access differs

Where Malawi and Bulgaria can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Where to apply: Bulgaria has no mission in Malawi

Guides tell you a visa is required but never warn that there is nowhere to file it — the mission simply does not exist in your country. We picked the nearest countries that do accept applications and measured the distance.

1
South Africa 2,250 km
Applications accepted in: Pretoria
2
Nigeria 3,765 km
Applications accepted in: Abuja
3
Saudi Arabia 4,293 km
Applications accepted in: Riyadh

Distances are measured between country centroids — a rough guide, not a route. Before you travel, confirm with the chosen consulate that it accepts applicants resident elsewhere: many operate a consular district, and out-of-district applications are not always accepted, often with a longer queue.

How the entry rule changed: Malawi → Bulgaria

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Malawi → Bulgaria rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

3rule changes for the Malawi passport, 2 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

Bulgaria: good to know

Sofia

Capital

Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Currency

Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

Time zone

+359

Calling code

Where else Malawi goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for Bulgaria

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Malawi citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?
Malawi citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Malawi or Bulgaria?
The Bulgaria passport is stronger: 118 visa-free countries versus 42. Global rank: Malawi #127, Bulgaria #35.
Where can Malawi and Bulgaria citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 30 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for Bulgaria?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Malawi and Bulgaria?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Sep 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Malawi passport ranking

Where else the Malawi passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport